YOUNG Scots scoff more sweets than children and teenagers in the rest of the UK, research has found.

According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) study on childhood obesity, one third of adolescent Scots eat confectionary or chocolate every day, compared to one quarter of youngsters in England and Wales.

However, Scotland’s youngsters now consume less fizzy juice than their counterparts did 15 years ago.

The findings, from St Andrews University, will be presented at a summit in Portugal today.

Dr Jo Inchley, of the university’s Child and Adolescent Health Research Unit, said: “The reductions in consumption of sugary drinks amongst young people in Scotland is good news, however further action is required to reduce their sugar intake, particularly in light of the wide range of sugar-sweetened drinks now available and actively marketed to children and adolescents.”

The study found persisting inequalities and a rise in obesity among young people in Europe, particularly in Eastern Europe.

Younger adolescents, boys and those living in families of lower socioeconomic position were more likely to be overweight.

It suggests four per cent of adolescents are now obese, which equates to more than 1.4 million young people across Europe.

And while the recommended level of daily exercise remains low in most European countries, the report found recent increases in vigorous physical activity among Scottish adolescents, suggesting more young people may be taking part in sport in their free time.

Inchley said: “These increases have occurred among girls as well as boys, reducing the gender gap in participation. Inequalities still persist, however, with lower levels of participation among young people from less affluent backgrounds.”

Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO regional director for Europe, said the rise of the obesity epidemic in Eastern Europe was “of particular concern” and called for “ambitious” action from governments.